Who's running in Mississippi's 1st congressional district
3 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
3 candidates · ballot order · Trent Kelly currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Making life more affordable and supporting farmers and small businesses, 'the backbone of America'.
A secure border.
A 'robust, well-funded military' and more American shipbuilding to compete with adversaries.
Cutting regulations for small businesses.
President Trump's 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which he called 'a win for the American people.'
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Mississippi's 1st District since June 2015; reelected with 69.8% in 2024.
Unopposed in the March 10, 2026 Republican primary.
Chairman of the House Armed Services Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee; vice chair of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence; senior member of the Agriculture Committee.
Retired major general, Mississippi Army National Guard; former district attorney.
Voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in 2025.
Reported more than $860,000 in campaign funds as of mid-2026, per Magnolia Tribune.
Arguments in favor
His 39 years in the National Guard, time as a district attorney and senior roles on the Armed Services, Intelligence and Agriculture committees set him apart and position him to deliver on shipbuilding and defence.
— Rep. Trent Kelly, to Magnolia Tribune
President Trump endorsed Kelly for re-election.
— President Donald Trump, per Wikipedia's race page
Arguments against
'This campaign really isn't about Congressman Kelly being evil. It's about the fact that he is a hundred percent dedicated to President Trump'; Kelly takes corporate PAC money and votes along party lines, while voters want someone more independent.
— Cliff Johnson, Democratic opponent (Mississippi Public Broadcasting, Magnolia Tribune)
The 'Big Beautiful Bill' Kelly voted for will drive up health care costs and put rural hospitals at risk: 'The only way we avoid the negative impacts of this ill-formed piece of legislation is if we elect people who will go to Washington and say no.'
— Cliff Johnson, Democratic opponent (Mississippi Public Broadcasting)
What we couldn’t verify
No DCCC material on Kelly was found; the seat is not on a Democratic target list in any loaded source.
His campaign website address could not be confirmed.
Whether debates will be held had not been reported.
Ending 'chaotic tariff policies', stopping implementation of the 'Big Beautiful Bill', and making ACA subsidies permanent.
Ending the war in Iran, reforming housing and raising the minimum wage.
Banning congressional stock trading, limiting corporate PAC spending and barring members of Congress from lobbying after they leave.
Regulating data centers.
Restoring Congress's independence from the executive branch.
Protecting voting rights and criminal justice reform, including funding reentry and substance abuse programs.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Has not held elected office.
Director, MacArthur Justice Center, University of Mississippi School of Law; former assistant US attorney.
Won the March 10, 2026 Democratic primary over former state Rep. Kelvin Buck.
Outraised Kelly in two of three quarters since entering; reported $150,000 cash on hand at the end of June, per Magnolia Tribune.
Arguments in favor
Johnson's legal work shutting down debtors' prisons in Corinth, Jackson and Moss Point and ending months-long jailing without counsel shows he will stand up for 'vulnerable' Mississippians.
— Cliff Johnson campaign announcement (Mississippi Free Press)
Arguments against
Johnson promises to be independent of party leaders, yet has shared fundraising and campaign events 'from Mississippi to Martha's Vineyard' with national Democrats including Jamie Raskin, Cory Booker and James Talarico, 'a strategy that could give voters in the conservative 1st District pause.'
— Magnolia Tribune
What we couldn’t verify
No NRCC or Mississippi Republican Party criticism of Johnson by name was found. Searched: 'Cliff Johnson' with Kelly, NRCC, Republican and criticism; Magnolia Tribune, Mississippi Today, Daily Journal and Daily Mississippian coverage.
His campaign website address could not be confirmed.
Deregulation, including removing the European Union Deforestation Regulation's costs on US companies, which he says would lower home prices.
Voting against 'any bill that intends to overreach the government's power over Americans and their personal choices', especially on gun ownership and the war on drugs.
Acknowledging God as leader of America.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Has not held elected office.
No FEC campaign finance report on file as of August 2026, per Magnolia Tribune.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No coverage making a case for or against Baucom was found beyond his Magnolia Tribune interview.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
November 3, 2026 is Mississippi's general election. US House races are decided by plurality with no runoff, as the Secretary of State's office confirmed in September 2026; the 50%-plus-one rule applies only to statewide, judicial and county offices. The map did not change for 2026. After the US Supreme Court's Louisiana v. Callais decision in spring 2026, Gov. Tate Reeves said Republicans intend to redraw the congressional map, but not before this election because the March primaries had already been held; the Legislature's redistricting committee is holding hearings with congressional redistricting expected in 2027. Primaries were held March 10, 2026. Roster confirmed against Ballotpedia, Magnolia Tribune and SuperTalk Mississippi: Republican Rep. Trent Kelly, unopposed in his primary; Democrat Cliff Johnson, who defeated former Holly Springs mayor Kelvin Buck; and Libertarian Johnny Baucom. The district covers 21 counties in northeast Mississippi, including Southaven, Olive Branch, Tupelo, Oxford and Columbus. Kelly won 69.8% in 2024. The candidate order here follows the published candidate listings, with the incumbent first; it is not verified ballot order and implies no ranking.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Mississippi ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Mississippi Secretary of State.